NZ544620A - Single frame sling chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A sling chair that includes a back frame member having a pair of side rails 14 held parallel to each other by first 28 and second 38 cross bar members is disclosed. In one embodiment the second cross bar includes upper 52 and lower 53 portions between which an edge of a sling 33 can be held. A second edge of the sling is positioned in a gap between the first cross bar and a support bar 30 detachably secured to the first cross bar. The sling has loops formed along its top and bottom edges through which rods are inserted to hold the sling securely in the back frame member.

Description

Patents Form # 5 4^620 ii *10050466154 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 1 JAN 2006 RECEIVED NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title SINGLE FRAME SLING CHAIR I, WANG, Oliver, of 25 Gangqian Bei Road, Industrial Zone, Beijiao, Shunde, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China, Nationality: A China citizen, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 400312NZ_Alp_20060110_1615_TGR.doc FEE CODE - 1050 SINGLE FRAME SLING CHAIR Field of the Invention The present invention relates to chair constructions, and more particularly relates to a chair construction employing a sling-type backrest which promotes chair stability, comfort and a variety of design alternatives.

Background of the Invention Various types of sling chairs have been known which provide a somewhat concave 10 and/or giving backrest. Such chairs generally include a back portion and a seat portion, and may optionally include armrest portions. The back portion generally includes a back frame and a flexible yet supportive backrest made of fabric or other suitable material and mounted to the back frame. Different mechanisms have been employed for securing the backrest to the back frame, and these prior art mechanisms have suffered from several deficiencies. First, these prior 15 art mechanisms often fail to provide a secure connection, which can result in the backrest being unsupportive of the seated individual. Further, the sling backrest for these chairs is frequently ^ retained along the chair side rail supports, creating side-to-side sling tension, restricting the potential to add decorative chair features, and complicating assembly.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a connection assembly for a sling chair which allows for efficient chair assembly and results in a comfortable yet sturdy chair. The present invention includes a back frame member having side rails held in substantially parallel relation by a pair of cross bar members. In one embodiment, the cross bar members are generally curved so as to G:\400312NZ_CS.10012006.DOC extend away from the back faces of the side rails, forming a concave back structure which can receive a sling member and, eventually, a seated occupant. The cross bar members are adapted to retain the sling member in secure fashion through upper and lower backrest assemblies. In this way, the sling member is not secured to the side rails, but rather to the cross bar members, resulting in better support, a more secure connection and more efficient assembly. The method of securing the sling member using a detachable support bar having a scaffold support element ensures that the sling member is efficiently and securely retained. The present invention also facilitates separate provisioning of decorative features to improve the chair's aesthetic qualities.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a right side view of an exemplary chair showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the back frame and backrest elements of the chair assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the upper backrest assembly of one embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line III-III of FIGS. 1 and 2.

^ FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the bottom cross bar member of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right side cross-sectional view of the upper backrest assembly portion of one embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line V-V of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a right side cross-sectional view of the lower backrest assembly portion of one embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

Detailed Description of G:\4O0312NZ_CS.KXn2OO6.DOC 2 As shown in Figs. 1 through 6, the present invention provides a single frame sling chair 10, having a rigid frame 12. Fig. 1 shows an overall, right side view of one embodiment of a chair according to the present invention, including monolithic welded frame 12 comprising frame rails 14, seat 16, armrests 18 and leg portions 20. A backrest assembly 22 is also shown, including upper backrest assembly portion 24 and lower backrest assembly portion 26. Upper backrest assembly portion 22 includes top cross bar 28 and detachable support bar 30, described more completely hereafter. Top cross bar 28 may be integrally formed with top element 32 and connective fascia 34, or may be secured to elements 32 and 34 as separate members. Top cross bar is secured to, and acts as a spreader between, frame side rails 14, as shown in FIG. 2.

As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, lower backrest assembly portion 26 includes bottom cross bar 38 which is secured to frame rails 14 and acts as a spreader to hold frame rails 14 apart. Bottom cross bar 38 cooperates with top cross bar 28 to hold frame rails 14 in preferably a substantially parallel relationship, however other relationships are envisaged such as trapezium relationship. A backrest 33, such as a sling fabric member, is secured to the upper 24 and lower 26 backrest assembly portions to provide body support to individuals using the chair of the present invention.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, top and bottom cross bar members are provided in substantially parallel relationship. The crossbars 28, 38 are provided of a curved or concave shape generally, and can be solid or hollow. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crossbars 28, 38 project at least partially outwardly away from respective back faces 15 of side rails 14. The crossbars 28, 38 can be any of a variety of section shapes, and can be adapted to accept a decorative casting 34 as part of or an attachment to crossbar, as shown in the exemplary G:\400312NZ_CS.10012006.DOC 1 embodiment of FIG. 2. Decorative side castings 35 can also be provided as shown in FIG. 2 so as to flank sling member 33. The sectional shape of side rails 14 as well as that of support bar 30 can be circular, oval, square, or other shape, for example. Further, support bar 30 and side rails 14 can be solid or hollow.

The remainder of the chair frame can have any arrangement for a seat bottom, it may have arms or no arms, and it may have any number of legs, or a pedestal instead of legs, and may be a rocker, swivel chair, swivel-rocker, swivel-glider, or a rigid monolithic frame.

The method of securing top 28 and bottom 38 cross bar members to back frame rails 14 can be by conventional means, such as by welding or by providing the frame rails with open interior slots for receiving respective ends of cross bar members 28, 38 (not shown). The method of securing backrest 33 to top and bottom cross members involves upper 24 and lower 26 backrest assemblies. Upper backrest assembly 24 comprises at least top cross bar member 28 and detachable support bar 30. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, detachable support bar 30 is provided with a base portion 41 and a scaffold portion 42, wherein scaffold portion can be "c"-shaped as shown for receiving a substantially rigid rod 50. As shown in Fig. 5, rod member 50 is placed through a loop 40 in sling member 33, wherein the sling loop 40 and rod 50 rest in the channel created by scaffold portion 42. Loop 40 can be formed, for example, by bending sling member edge back upon itself and securing the sling member to itself, such as via a hem or similar method. A portion of sling member 33 thus rests in the gap 43 created by the base portion 41 and cross bar member 28. The support bar 30 can be secured to the bottom face 45 of top cross bar 28 using screws 46 mating with internal threads 47 in base portion 41 and cross bar 28, for example. Alternative means of fastening support bar 30 to top cross bar 28 can be G:U00312NZCS. 100120Q6.DOC 4 employed, such as sheet metal screws, hook and loop fasteners, clamps, or malleable plug members extending from support bar 30 into openings in cross bar 28, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, lower backrest assembly 26 comprises at least bottom 5 cross bar 38 and rod member 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, bottom cross bar 38 can include an upper portion 52 and a lower portion 53 which join together at respective ends 38a and 38b, and which have respective inside walls 54a and 54b, outside walls 55a and 55b and interior ^ facing walls 56a and 56b. Cross bar member 38 can be formed as a unitary, monolithic piece or can be formed by securing respective portions 52 and 53 together at ends 38a and 38b through 10 welding or other attachment means. Regardless of how formed, the interior facing walls 56a and 56b cooperate to form a through-and-through slot 44. As shown in FIG. 2, slot 44 can extend for substantially the length of upper 52 and lower 53 portions. As shown in FIG. 6, the end of fabric sling 33 opposite the end secured to upper bracket assembly is provided with a loop 58 for receiving rod member 60. Loop 58 can be formed in a manner similar to that 15 described for forming loop 40. Rod member and sling loop portion 58 are then retained against outside walls 55a and 55b, which are respectively provided with inwardly extending portions ^ 57a and 57b for such purpose. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, inwardly extending portions 57a and 57b are arcuate in cross-section. Portions 57 assist in providing the back assembly 22 with a low profile, minimizing the extent of rod and sling extension outside of the 20 plane formed by outside walls 55a and 55b, which in turn minimizes sling member exposure to unnecessary wear and tear. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the securing of sling member 33 within lower bracket assembly 26 can be optionally enhanced through the employment of one or more machine screws 64 extending through openings 66 in lower cross bar member and mated with nuts 65.

G:\400312NZ_CS. 1O012OO6.DOC 5 By placing the sling entrapment at the top and bottom in the cross members, rather than in the side rails, the invention facilitates the creation of a comfortable concave shape to the back rest. Also, the invention thereby allows for shorter looped hems and dowels than would exist if the sling were attached to the side rails. The invention also permits sturdier and more rigid 5 frame construction and leaves open more design possibilities for accessory items.

The method of assembling the backrest 22 to the frame 12 according to the present ^ invention can occur in several ways. In one exemplary way, chair frame 12 is provided with top cross bar member 28 and bottom cross bar member 38 secured to side rails 14 as shown in FIG. 10 2. Sling member 33 is provided with looped hems 40 and 58 at two ends thereof. Looped end 58 is manipulated through slot 44 in lower cross bar member so as to be positioned somewhat adjacent to wall portions 57a and 57b. Rod member 60 is then manipulated through looped end 58 such that any tension applied to the remainder of sling member, such as pulling on sling member from a location on the interior of lower cross bar member, will result in looped hem 58 15 contacting wall portions 57a and 57b. Machine screws and nuts or equivalent attachment means can assist in retaining sling member in place with respect to bottom cross bar member 38.

Next, rod member 50 is placed through looped hem portion 40 of sling member 33, and this arrangement is positioned over base portion 41 of support bar 30 and within scaffold portion 20 42. Support bar 30 is then raised so as to align with the under face 45 of top cross bar member 28. Threaded bolts 46 or similar attachment means can then be manipulated through base portion 41, sling member 33 and top cross bar member 28 to securely maintain support bar and sling to top cross bar member 28.

G:\400312NZ_CS. 10012006.DOC 6 The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims of the application rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

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Claims (22)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A sling chair, comprising: a back frame member having a pair of side rail members, said back frame member further having first and second cross bar members secured to each of said side rail members so 5 as to maintain said side rail members in substantially parallel relation, said second cross bar member having an upper and a lower portion, said upper and lower portions having interior faces which define a slot extending through said upper and lower portions; and ^ a sling assembly secured to said back frame member, said sling assembly comprising a support bar member detachably securable to said first cross bar member, said support bar 10 member having an upper surface and being secured to said first cross bar member such that said support bar upper surface and said first cross bar member create a gap there between, said sling assembly further comprising a sling member having a top and a bottom edge, each of said edges having a loop formed therein, said sling assembly further including a pair of elongated rods, whereby a first of said sling member edges can be positioned through said slot and a second of 15 said sling member edges can be positioned through said gap and whereby a respective one of said rods can be inserted through a respective loop such that said sling member is securely retained.

2. The chair of claim 1 wherein said first and second cross bar members are substantially 20 parallel to one another and are generally concave in shape.

3. The chair of claim 1 further comprising a seat member secured to said back frame member.

4. The chair of claim 1 wherein said support bar member is generally concave in shape. G:\4OCI312NZ_CS.lO012OO6.DOC g

5. The chair of claim 1 wherein said support bar includes a base portion and a scaffold portion, and wherein a first one of said rods is inserted through its respective sling member loop so as to be retained within said scaffold portion.

6. The chair of claim 5 wherein said scaffold portion is substantially c-shaped in cross section.

7. The chair of claim 5 wherein said support bar is secured to said first cross bar member at one or more points along the support bar base portion.

8. A back frame member for a sling chair, comprising: a pair of side rail members, each having a front and a back face; a first cross bar member secured to said side rail members, said first cross bar member having a lower surface and a generally curved shape so as to project at least partially outwardly away from said respective back faces of said side rail members; a second cross bar member secured to each of said side rail members and cooperating with said first cross bar member so as to hold said side rail members in substantially parallel relation, said second cross bar member being substantially parallel to said first cross bar member, said second cross bar member having a generally curved shape so as to project at least partially outwardly away from said respective back faces of said side rail members, said second cross bar member having an upper and a lower portion, said upper and lower portions having interior faces which define a slot extending through said upper and lower portions for substantially for the length of said second cross bar member; and G:\400312NZ_CS. 100120Q6.DOC 9 a support bar member secured to said first cross bar member, said support bar member having an upper surface and being substantially curved so as to extend in an arc pattern substantially similar to said first cross bar member, said support bar member being secured such that a gap is created between its upper surface and the lower surface of said first cross bar member.

9. The frame member of claim 8 wherein said support bar member is secured to said lower surface of first cross bar member.

10. The frame member of claim 8 wherein said support bar member includes a scaffold portion for receiving a sling retention rod.

11. The frame member of claim 8 wherein said lower cross bar member upper and lower portions include outside walls having respective inwardly extending portions adapted to receive a sling retention rod.

12. A back frame assembly for a sling chair, comprising: a first cross bar member having a lower surface and a generally curved shape; a second cross bar member having a generally curved shape and having an upper and a lower portion, said upper and lower portions having interior faces which define a slot extending between said upper and lower portions; a support bar member secured to said first cross bar member, said support bar member having an upper surface and being secured such that a gap is created between its upper surface and the lower surface of said first cross bar member; G:\400312NZ_CS.10CI12006.DOC JQ a sling member having a top and a bottom edge; means for securing said top edge of said sling member between said first cross bar and said support bar member; and means for securing said bottom edge of said sling member to said second cross bar member.

13. The back frame assembly of claim 12 wherein said sling member top and bottom edges are each bent back and secured so as to form a loop, wherein said top edge securing means includes a first rod positioned within said top edge loop, and wherein said bottom edge securing means includes a second rod positioned within said bottom edge loop.

14. The back frame assembly of claim 13 wherein said top edge securing means includes providing said support bar member with a scaffold portion for receiving said first rod.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said scaffold portion is substantially c-shaped in cross-section.

16. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said bottom edge securing means includes providing said lower cross bar member upper and lower portions with outside walls having respective inwardly extending portions adapted to receive said second rod.

17. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said top edge securing means includes positioning a portion of said sling member through said gap and wherein said bottom edge securing means includes positioning a portion of said sling member through said slot. G:\400312NZ_CS.10CI12006.DOC | ]

18. A method of securing a sling member to a chair frame, comprising the steps of: providing a chair frame having a pair of side rail members; securing a first cross bar member to each of said side rail members, said first cross bar member being generally curved in shape; securing a second cross bar member to said side rail members, said second cross bar member being substantially parallel to said first cross bar member, said second cross bar member being generally curved in shape and having upper and lower portions, said upper and lower portions having outside walls and further having interior faces which define a slot extending along at least a portion of the length of said upper and lower portions; providing a sling with top and bottom edges, each edge being bent back and secured so as to form a loop therein; placing said sling bottom edge adjacent said second cross bar member outer walls such that at least a portion of said sling extends through said second cross member slot; inserting a first elongated rod through said loop in said sling bottom edge so as to retain said sling edge adjacent said outer walls of said second cross member; providing a support bar member having a base portion and a scaffold portion; inserting a second rod through said sling top edge loop and positioning said sling top edge in said scaffold portion of said cross bar mount member; and securing said base of said support bar member to said first cross member such that said base and said cross bar member form a gap therebetween, and further such that at least a portion of said sling is retained in said gap, whereby said sling is securely retained in a substantially taut manner. G:\400312NZ CS.100120d6.DOC 12

19. A sling chair as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A back frame member for a sling chair as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A back frame assembly for a sling chair as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of securing a sling member to a chair frame as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attorney for the Applicant G:\400312NZ CS.10012006.DOC 13